NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on Tuesday night, New Zealand time.
They discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the deal with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in which young New Zealanders will also be able to live, and work in Spain for two years under the scheme.
NZ Prime Minister said she was delighted to announce the boost to the programme. “These schemes create opportunities for young New Zealanders to develop their skills and work experience while travelling and living in Spain,” NZ PM said. She said the scheme demonstrated the strength of the relationship between the two countries.
In the meeting, Sánchez supporting a “high-quality” trade deal between the European Union and New Zealand. This trade deal would create opportunities for New Zealand and Spanish businesses in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
“It would allow us to showcase sustainability and climate in a trade agreement – an issue the EU cares deeply about,” Ardern said.
Both Prime Minister of NZ and Spain condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, singling out President Vladimir Putin for particular condemnation, saying the invasion was “illegal and unprovoked”.
In the end, she also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks and Black Ferns jersey!
